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Sunday, November 22, 2015

It's been a long time since I've checked on my blog. I'm finally settled in at my new home and with my new job. I'm hoping to find time to update this more regularly. I've been reading about 1-2 books per month since June and I'm hoping to keep that trend.

I've been reading more and more paperback/hardcover books and because of that I may start giving them away because it doesn't make sense for me to keep all these books in my small room. I just don't have the space. So you may end up seeing giveaways on here as I read. Who knows. I'll be back soon. xoxo

Monday, April 27, 2015

I Remember You
by Cathleen Davitt Bell
Pages: 310
Source: Purchased
Available as of February 10, 2015Amazon

For fans of THE FUTURE OF US comes an engrossing story of two teens, whose love for each other is tested by time and fate.

Lucas and Juliet couldn’t be more different from each other. But from the moment Lucas sees Juliet, he swears he remembers their first kiss. Their first dance. Their first fight. He even knows what’s going to happen between them—not because he can predict the future, but because he claims to have already lived it.

Juliet doesn’t know whether to be afraid for herself or for Lucas. As Lucas’s memories occur more frequently, they also grow more ominous. All Juliet wants is to keep Lucas safe with her. But how do you hold on to someone you love in the present when they’ve begun slipping away from you in the future?

Overall Rating

Review

Oh my lord! Where to begin...

From page one I was captivated by Bell's words. I had a hard time putting this book down and walking away from it.

Told from Juliet's POV is the story of her relationship with her high school sweetheart. He remembers her. He is getting flashes of their relationship before it unfolds. Flashes of him in the desert sand, flat topped buildings, and sheets on clothes lines. He remembers her dress, their first kiss... and somehow he makes it all happen sooner. He is remembering his future, their future.

I was blown away by the detail in this story. It starts in 1994 and Lucan can foresee the future. He sees his life before it happens and he thinks he crazy. Juliet thinks he is crazy. This story was a climax. My heartbeat fluctuated with the details on the page. I swear my heart was racing for the last100 pages. I was so invested in these two characters that I was worried I would miss my next formation.

Once Lucas started learning of his future life and what would happen to his world, I began to question how the story would end. Would it be happy or sad? Would my tears be of joy or heartbreak? I was literally (ask my roommate) sitting on the edge of my seat while reading the last 10 pages. I was so glued to the book that I didn't register text messages and my roomies announcement that formation was canceled.

Needless to say, pick up this book!!! It is rare to find a story that makes you forget there is an outside world. I Remember You is romantic, uplifting, and by far one of the best books I've ever read. This is a must read.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Broken Blood
by Heather Hildenbrand
Series: Dirty Blood (#5)
Source: Provided by Author
Available as of March 10, 2015Amazon

I thought watching my Werewolf boyfriend get arrested for murder was the worst experience of my life. But then I was knocked out and dragged off to a cell of my own by the very people who were supposed to protect me from danger.

I thought being held prisoner in solitary confinement for weeks on end was the worst experience of my life. But then a visitor came, and I realized I’d been wrong all along. There are worse things than torture and death. Much worse.

He wants my blood. More than that, he wants to get into my head. To use my bond to control his army, to wipe the world clean of anything with dirty blood. I can’t let that happen, but if I don’t he’ll kill every single person I’ve ever cared about—beginning with my Werewolf pack.

The prophecy said I would have to make an impossible choice, but I must be doing this wrong—so far every choice I’ve made has only led to more pain and danger and death. Hunters are pitted against Werewolves and I’m alone in my war against Gordon Steppe. I can’t fight him off anymore; all I can do is try to keep him out of the important places. And I’m failing at even that.

I thought the demons were out there, clearly marked and clinging to the shadows. But they’re not. The monsters are within the ranks of those sworn to protect. The enemy is among us.

As everyone who visits here should know, I LOVE Heather Hildenbrand and her books. I've loved everything I've read of hers and I will continue to read everything she publishes. Broken Blood is by far the best of the Dirty Blood series.

It's the final chapters of Tara's wild ride with Steepe. She wakes to find herself in a cell, forced to do what he wants if she wants her friends and her pack to survive.

Unlike the rest of the Dirty Blood books, Tara is still her strong, independent self, but she is in the dark about a lot of things that are going on. Granted some of those things are to protect her and her friends, but she doesn't have the same amount of control we are used to... at least not until the end.

I loved that Tara is given choices that will either put her in a terrible position or harm her friends. We get to see her true colors and while I agreed with most of her choices, I probably would have given in sooner for a few. I also loved that I was shocked by what happened in the last handful of chapters. Heather threw a few curveballs that I wasn't expecting, but the ending of this series had its way of coming to where I thought all end.

Overall, I loved this series and highly recommend it to EVERYONE!! Heather's books are a fantastic way to pass the time and are always at the top of my list when friends ask me what they should read. If you haven't started this paranormal adventure, do it now! If you have finish the series!!!!

FTC disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Cold Blood
by Heather Hildenbrand
Series: Dirty Blood (#2)
Available as of November 22, 2011Amazon

Wood Point Academy is not at all what I expected. For one thing, it looks like a cross between military school and Buckingham Palace. Everyone stares, the floors shine so bright you can see your reflection in them from a mile away, and no one smiles. Unless they're kicking your butt in the process.

At least I've got plenty to take my mind off the fact that my psycho cousin, Miles De'Luca, keeps calling and declaring his love and promising to come for me just as soon as he's destroyed anyone standing in our way. Wes isn't going to like that idea. So between Miles, Wood Point's evil welcoming committee, and the drill sergeant hottie trainer from hell, I just keep asking myself, how did I end up here?

Chapter Twenty-Five: Alex

The radio crackled out some country song that was nothing more than a
tenor voice whining for more whiskey. I didn’t pay it any attention but I
didn’t turn it off, either. The background noise helped numb the fear that had
settled so deeply into my chest, it left an ache similar to what I imagined a
heart attack to feel like.

Tara had almost died.

I couldn’t shake the image of her lying on her back with that … thing hovering over her, about to take a
bite. Each time I allowed myself to remember, the memory swept me up and
threatened to overwhelm me. I took a steadying breath and gripped the wheel
tighter. I had to think of something else—anything else—to distract myself.

Unwittingly, another image floated in my mind. Tara in the hotel room
we’d shared for a few hours. So much of her skin bared. Bruised. Swollen. It
had been both beautiful and horrific seeing her that way. And then lying next
to her, sleeping, and the kiss … it had been more than I’d hoped for, her
kissing me back.

She certainly hadn’t kissed me back that day in the woods. Then again, I
was pretty sure she’d been in shock. I hadn’t exactly planned it, but the way
her face looked in that moment … fear of Miles, complete trust in me. And then
she’d been angry. There was nothing more beautiful than an angry Tara. Or so
I’d thought until she’d kissed me the way she had in the hotel room. The memory
of that feeling would warm me for many, many nights to come.

“How bad is this going to be for me, exactly?” Tara asked.

I kept my gaze trained on the road but her question jolted me back to
harsh reality. The kiss was over. Our time together, blocking out the world and
pretending it didn’t exist, was over. We were almost back to school.

“That depends,” I answered her.

“On what?”

“On our method of entry. Do you want to announce your return?”

“Um, do I have a choice?”

I knew what she was asking and I’d already worked out the answer. The
shoulder widened just ahead. Perfect. “Yes.” I pulled over and got out.

We left the truck and began our hike through the darkened woods. It took
my eyes a moment to adjust and then shapes of trees and the familiar, yet
narrow, path came into focus. I kept my steps small so she could keep up and
led the way.

She asked me about the logistics of returning this way: the truck, the
wards (as if they worked anymore). I could hear the irritation in my voice as I
answered her but I couldn’t help it. We were almost back to reality. There was
so much to say. And she’d rather talk about the damned truck.

“Nothing. We’re almost back to school. I assume you’ll want to forget
about anything that happened between us once we’re there. I’m simply switching
gears to accommodate.” I felt petulant and immature saying it, but I didn’t
care.

“Switching gears to accommodate?” she echoed. I could hear her temper
rising in her voice. Something in my gut warmed in anticipation of a good
fight. “What are you, a robot?” I kept my mouth shut, willing her to go on, to
say something that mattered. “I didn’t say anything because … well, it’s
complicated. You know that.” She paused. The fire had gone out of her voice.
“You haven’t said anything, either.”

“You’re right. I guess I figured I made things clear.” I let sarcasm drip
from my words. Baiting her.

She laughed and my nerves pricked. “Have you ever actually had a
girlfriend? Because you really suck at this.” I opened my mouth to snap back a
retort, but she went on, “Don’t answer that. Seriously, though, you can’t kiss
a girl and expect her to automatically know your feelings through osmosis or
something. Besides, when I met you, you hated me. And now you’re kissing me.
So, pardon me if that leavese me a little confused.”

“I didn’t hate you.”

“Pot-ay-toes, pot-ah-toes. You were disgusted, at least.”

I shook my head and the words were out before I could stop them. “You
don’t disgust me, Tara. You amaze me, impress me, surprise me, entertain me.
You definitely don’t disgust me.”

I clamped my mouth shut, horrified and elated that I’d finally said it. I
couldn’t take it back, no matter her response, but I didn’t really want to, now
that it was out there.

She didn’t answer and my heart plummeted to somewhere around my knees.
“Do I do any of those things for you?” I asked, hating how desperate I sounded.
And felt.

She stared at me, the whites of her eyes barely visible in the darkness.
“Yes,” she whispered.

My heart soared. I wondered if he
could hear us from where I knew he waited in the trees up ahead. I hoped so.
Something twisted inside me really, really hoped so. I allowed myself three
seconds to enjoy my triumph and then reality came crashing in around me. “And
does Wes do any of those things for you?” I asked, trying not to choke on the
name.

“Yes,” she repeated, her eyes darting away.

I changed my mind. Hopefully he couldn’t hear us.

The ache in my chest returned—for different reasons. It was my own fault.
I’d known the answer the moment I’d asked.

“I think it’s best that we leave it there then. For now.” She didn’t
speak and I knew the moment was done. “Let’s get you back to school and focus
on getting Miles.”

RAK

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